SASA10150U Experimental Animal Nutrition and Physiology, part 1 (EANP1)

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Animal Science and MSc Programme in Animal-Derived Foods - semi-compulsory
Content
The contents of the course covers:
1) Presentation of experimental techniques for assessment of whole animal function and metabolism of nutrients at the whole animal and organ level (in vivo/in vitro). This covers both a theoretical introduction as well as practical demonstrations of key techniques.
2) A 30 h block which fulfills the educational requirements by Council of Europe (category b) and Denmark for persons working with experimental animals or assisting in animal experiments (a diploma will be issued upon completion of the course).
3) Principles necessary for planning and implementing in vivo or in vitro scientific investigations as well as for critically evaluating results obtained from such investigations. This includes such aspects as protocol planning, experimental design and data evaluation.
Learning Outcome
Knowledge
- describe the basic principles behind experimental methods for measuring nutritional characteristics of feedstuffs, feed intake, chewing activity, in vivo and in vitro digestibility,
- describe the methods for measuring digestibility in different segments of the digestive tract in monogastic and ruminant animals by use of cannulation and marker techniques, passage rate and digestion kinetics
- describe the theoretical background of energy transfer from cellular to the whole body level, techniques and methods for measuring nitrogen, energy balances, heat production and substrate oxidation
- describe the use of molecular biological techniques in analysis of cell and tissue function
- describe catheter techniques used to study tissue and organ nutrient fluxes, practical guidelines for sampling of blood, rumen fluid etc,
- describe appropriate experimental designs and basic statistical approaches for use with these methodologies
- describe the legislation, handling and management of laboratory animals
- integrate the outcomes from the methodologies, experimental design work and legislative aspects to obtain an understanding of the ethical use of animals in research

Skills
- be able to describe principles and methods used in selected in vivo demonstrations
- be able to evaluate experimental results/data from different in vivo measurements.
- be able to discus limitations, advantages and their potential applications of the different experimental methods
- be able to interpret experimental results based on theoretical knowledge
- be able to design experimental animal protocols and use relevant legislation for conducting animal experiments in an ethical way

Competences
- ability to cooperate with other researches, both inter and intra disciplinary at different levels and with different degree of responsibility
- ability to adopt above described knowledge and skills
- ability to disseminate methodology and obtained results to professionals, lay persons and general public
- ability to perform animal experiments legally according to Council of Europe 1993 resolution category B

The written examination is obligatory in order to obtain EU approved diploma to be allowed working with experimental animals.

Literature
Selected reviews/research papers and a list of the literature to be used can be obtained from the course coordinators.

Thomas Krohn: Forsøgsdyrhåndbogen, KU-IVP
Annelise Hem, Dag Marcus Eide, Espen Engh & Adrian Smith: Laboratory Animal Science, Norwegian Veterinary School, 2001, http:/​/​oslovet.veths.no/​dokument.aspx?dokument=203, chapter 9-14,16-17, 19-26, 28
SASA10143U Dyrs ernæring og præstation
Theoretical course with lectures, some laboratory demonstrations and bi-weekly seminars. Practical exercises on live animals. Individual activities will involve reviewing and presentation of handed-out scientific papers as well as seminar discussions of presented experimental techniques, where emphasis will be on evaluation of experimental design, techniques and approaches in relation to aims, obtained results and conclusions.
Combined lectures, practical demonstrations, seminars/journal clubs and exercises. Students will throughout the course be working in groups.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 10
  • Exam
  • 2
  • Lectures
  • 25
  • Practical exercises
  • 70
  • Preparation
  • 69
  • Theory exercises
  • 30
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 20 minutes under invigilation
Oral examination
The written exam consists of 16 questions of which up to 5 questions can be multiple choice. Every question gives 0, 1, 2 or 3 points, except multiple choice questions, which give either 0 or 3 points. To achieve the level 2, a total of at least 24 points must be awarded.

The written examination is obligatory in order to obtain EU approved diploma to be allowed working with experimental animals.

The oral examination (time for preparation) regarding other topics covered in the course, where the student will draw a question based on demonstrations covered in the course.
Exam registration requirements
Participation in 75 % of practical demonstrations
Aid
Only certain aids allowed
Written examination (to obtain EU approved diploma): no aids allowed.
Oral examination: all books, reports etc. allowed
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner
Criteria for exam assesment
To pass both oral examination and written examination the student shall:

- be able to describe principles and methods used in selected in vivo demonstrations
- be able to evaluate experimental results/data from different in vivo measurements.
- be able to discus limitations, advantages and their potential applications of the different experimental methods 
- be able to interpret experimental results based on theoretical knowledge
- be able to design experimental animal protocols and use relevant legislation for conducting animal experiments in an ethical way